So as promised here's an update, I hope to be able to stick to updating frequlently, I'm even more annoyed at myself now as I had already had half this chapter saved onto the fanfic website doc manager but due to my own laziness the 90 days had expired *eye roll*

Also I feel terrible admitting this but I had to re-read this story to remember everything properly and omg I so wanted to just re-write this full story after that. Anyway I'm rambling, hope you all enjoy this long awaited chapter and it was worth the near enough two year wait..

Chapter 25

Stes point of view

I'm nervous as I wait for the clock to hit twenty past so I can go for this lunch/dinner, the past hour has dragged in and it's gave me too long to worry about all the things that could go wrong. Thankfully Doug was cool about me getting away a bit early, I think he's finally coming around to the idea of Brendan. So at least that's one less thing for me to stress over.

A part of me feels guilty over Brendan being backed into a corner by his own son about this, I doubt they had spoke about it before they came in here. I'm just going to try keep as much pressure off Brendan as I can, I know this sort of thing can't be easy for him, he only changed his mind about telling Declan about us last night.

Even though Declan's older than Leah and Lucas, he's more or less an adult but I still know how kids can be although he seems to have taken pretty well to the whole Brendan and I's relationship thing. I try to put myself in his shoes but it's hard for me since I don't even have a clue who my dad could be. I shake those thoughts away knowing no good will come out of me going down that road.

I make my way to the coat rail and switch my apron for my jacket.

"That you away then?" Doug asks, as he looks up from some magazine he's been reading, I nod in reply. "How are you feeling? About the whole dinner with Brendan and his son thing?"

I can tell he's prying but know it comes from a good place, "Yeah okay, I just hope it isn't too awkward." I tell him truthfully, I know how silent Brendan can be even when he's in a good mood, I dread what it'll be like if Declan shares the same trait, it'll be like talking to two brick walls with the occasional grunt and reply.

After five minutes of being in Declan's presence I realise I had nothing to worry about, he talks enough for the three of us, I already know what his plans for the future are, the name of the school his younger brother goes to and that he's got two cats named, Mel and Tricksy. I find the names odd but then again I've never been much of a cat person.

Even I'm struggling to keep up with his conversation and that's saying something, I thought Cheryl was chatty but Declan definitely gives her a run for her money, he jumps from one subject to the next barely taking a breath inbetween. When I look across at Brendan he's already looking at me, trying and failing to hide his smirk, as if he's able to read my mind he turns his attention to Declan,

"Jeeze Deccy, will ye give us a chance to look at the menu at least?" He laughs,

He smiles at his dad and I before shrugging, "Oh yeah, sorry." He says while biting his lip and looking down at his own menu, I guess he might be a bit nervous aswell.

Frankie comes up to take our food and drinks order before making her way back to the bar,

"I can't believe you aren't letting me have even one beer da." Declan groans hiding his face in embarrassment, "I'm eighteen in less than a month."

Brendan smirks and rolls his eyes, "Well after you turn eighteen you can drink as much beer as you want, plus I don't think your ma would be too happy to find out I've been letting you drink."

Declan huffs before exclaiming, "Obviously I wouldn't tell her and anyway she lets me drink of special occasions, I can just tell her we were celebrating that you might not be forever alone after all." He grins before Brendan gives a shake of the head while laughing, "Funny but still no."

Another huff from Declan and he turns to me, looks like he's about to try a different tactic "Ste what do you think?"

I hold my hands up in defence, "I ain't getting involved." I laugh to try lighten the statement.

The rest of the afternoon passes by quickly. I can tell that Declan really is a good kid, it's refreshing how easy going he is.

"Well I better head off before Chez blows a gasket." Brendan says while standing up,

"Yeah I should get back home, I'll maybe pop round to the club later?" I offer him, he nods back at me. At least it means we'll maybe be able to steal a few minutes to ourselves.

"Maybe I could come by too?" Declan suggests, Brendan must gives him a look because he quickly takes back his offer, "Infact I'll just go home and get some studying done and have a catch up with ma."

We all split our own ways after saying our goodbyes, Declan heading home, Brendan to the club and I'm about to make my way home when I realise I've got a text from Doug asking to meet up at some point and can tell something must be wrong so I dial his number while putting the phone to my ear.

It rings twice before he picks up, "Hey Ste, you get my message?"

"Yeah, is everything alright?" I ask, his voice sounds jittery and it unsettles me.

"Eh.. Well, I was just wondering if we could meet up and talk?" He asks, "I just need someone to listen to me and I don't know who else to turn to."

Definitely serious, "Obviously Doug, you know I'm always ere' if you need me." I remind him, "How about we meet at the dog for a couple of drinks? I've just left there the now so saves us goin into town?"

"Do you mind Ste? You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important?"

"Doug seriously, it's fine." I laugh, "I'll get us a round in for you coming."

"Okay thanks buddy, I'll see you soon." He says before hanging up, it isn't very often Doug actually asks people for help, he tends to bottle things up much like most people do, but he always wears his heart on his sleeve so I can always tell if there's something up.

I head back into the dog and head up to the bar when Frankie spots me she sways over with a quizzful look on her face, "Back so soon?"

"Yeah me and Doug are meeting for a few." I nearly snap but manage to keep myself in check knowing the last thing I need is to be on the village gossips bad side, "Speaking of which, can I get two lagers please."

She goes about getting the pints ready before she gives me a smile resting her arm on the bar after sitting both the drinks down, "So who was that I saw you and Brendan with earlier?"

I try to keep it short knowing I should watch what I say to her incase she twists it, "He's Brendan's son."

"Oh, you know I might be out of term saying this." She looks as if she's fighting with herself to say whatever she's going to say next before shrugging, "But isn't it weird? I mean you and the son being so close in age?"

Her eyebrow perks up and I try to stop myself causing a scene, "Never really thought about it Frankie." I sit the money on the bar for her, "Keep the change." I say before tutting and walking over to a table with both the drinks. I can't believe the woman said something so cheeky, a few years back if she said anything to offend me I would've kicked off then and there but I've changed and moved on, I don't need any stories about me getting around.

While I wait I can't help but wonder what Doug is so worried about, I know it's John Paul related but I'm just not sure what it could be about. I already know it isn't about the whole chlamydia thing seen as we had already spoke about it and he admitted that he wouldn't leave John Paul even if it had been through him cheating, as long as he got told the truth. Part of me feels bad for keeping from Doug how John Paul acted that night with Brendan but honestly I just don't think it's even worth mentioning.

I shrug the thought off as I see Doug come in and wave him over, he takes a seat before looking around a little uneasy.

"Ya alright?" I ask frowning and looking about the surroundings aswell.

"Yeah fine." He shrugs before taking a long drink of his pint, "It's just.. Well it's about John Paul.. And the wedding."

Hearing this makes me worry even more, "Why what's happened?" Tapping his hand with mine as a sign of comfort.

"Nothing's really happened as such it's more just thinking I've been doing." He shrugs before elaborating further, "Maybe when we couldn't get the date we originally planned on it was a sign." He huffs, "I had thought that maybe we were just meant to get married on Christmas Eve but maybe it was a way of telling us we weren't meant to be together."

I look at him in shock, "Where's all this coming from?" I ask, "is this because of they stupid tests?"

"Ste they aren't stupid." He groans putting his head in his hands, "He was pretty adamant it was from you as if he was just wanting to blame anyone, why would he do that if he didn't have anything to hide?"

"Maybe this is just a miss understanding-" he cuts me off before I even get a chance to finish,

"It's not though is it." He exclaims, "He has it and I don't, me and him have always been careful, what's to say he hasn't cheated on me? It could've been after one of our stupid arguments."

Again I get hit with a wave of guilt, I don't want to keep this from him but I want to hurt him even less, "Have you spoke to him about this?" I ask knowing the answer by the look on his face, "Ya need to, everything you've just said to me I want ya to go and say it to him."

He debates with himself before answering, "But what if I don't like what he tells me?"

"Then ya can deal with it Doug, stop looking at it from every angle and beating around the bush, the weddings soon and I don't want ya doing a runner." I tell him, I might not like John Paul but nobody deserves the embarrassment of being stood up on their wedding day, especially infront of most of the people from the village that they need to see every day.

"I know your right." He smiles at me while finishing his drink, "When did you start giving me the good advice?"

I laugh at that, "Yeah who woulda thought it eh? But it's true, I'm telling you what you need to hear."

"Well thanks for this, how about I get us another drink? Gives me some courage for facing John Paul." He grins at me, I nod along.

It feels good being able to hang out with Doug like this again, yeah we did just talk about something pretty heavy but it's been refreshing in a way knowing that one of me best mates is soon to be married and it will hopefully be the start of his happy future, God knows he deserves it, even if it is with John Paul.

Brendan's point of view

I'm counting down the hours to go until I finish work, the clubs been kept ticking over, not so much that it's bedlam but a good bit of a crowd, especially since it's a week night. I smile when I think about lunch with Declan and Steven earlier, how well they got on they just seemed to click.

Talking about sports and music, before Declan started asking for advice about some girl and I had to put my foot down, I love them both getting on but I doubt my gay lover giving my son girl advice would ever be a good option. I smirk when I remember what I had said about the case, "The Brady charm is all ye need, nobody can resist."

Stevens face has heated up in embarrassment and I took it as my point being proven. I'm pulled out of my thoughts as there seems to be a bit of commotion downstairs, I leave my spot behind the bar knowing Rhys can deal with the punters upstairs while I head downstairs.

There's a burly man and a glammed up woman with a flock of people surrounding them, thinking its maybe some d-list celebs from a reality tv show I huff while making my way over before the woman turns round and squeals before running up to me, "Brendan." She says as she barrels into me leaving the man behind her in a confused state.

It takes me a few seconds before recognition flows through me as I look at the woman properly, ill be damned how had I not noticed the moment I seen her hair who it was, "Mitzeee." I smile back while pulling back, "What brings ye to this neck of the woods?"

She rolls her eyes, "Don't tell me you didn't recognise me." She laughs knowing it's true, "I'm stopping off here for a few days with my parter." She flicks her head back before gesturing to come over.

He grins at me but it's anything but friendly, "You know I hate the term partner Mitz." He holds out his hand for me to shake before introducing himself, "I'm Warren Fox, the boyfriend." He raises his eyebrows as though for me to challenge him and I can't help but wonder how that name rings a bell.

I grip his hand just as hard as he grips mine, "Brendan Brady, I run this club." I grunt, "So again I'll ask, what brings ye both here?"

"What can I say this place just feels like.. Home." He shrugs with a grin and a chuckle while Mitzeee not so subtly elbows him in the rib area.

"Long time no see Brendan,

Tell me what have you been up to?" Mitzeee quizzes while looping her arm through mine and directing us upstairs leaving her boyfriend to trail behind us fuming.

I'm about to answer when we get to the top of the stairs when I see Steven, "Just give me a second Mitzeee, there's someone I want to introduce ye to." I say while making my way over to where he's standing at the bar.

"Steven." I say making my presence known, he gives me a lop sided smile,

"Hey Bren, I thought ya had maybe got off early, caught be just in time before I left." The smile by now turned into a full on grin and I need to pinch myself before I do something sappy like tell him he's beautiful.

"Well come on I've got someone I want ye to meet." I say looking back around to see Mitzeee and her boyfriend having words, I steer Steven over but just before we get to them I feel him freeze beside me. Both Mitzeee and Warren look up to see us both standing a few steps away. Mitzeee with a knowing grin and Warren with a frown before he laughs, pulling his hands away from his sides.

"Well if it isn't rat boy, Ste Hay." He grins,

I turn to look at Steven who looks gobsmacked, "Warren? No but your meant to be dead." He states while shaking his head.

Myself and Mitzeee exchange confused looks before I remember how I knew that name. Warren Fox was the person that had this club before hand, the place was set on fire and he was meant to be in it, I get a flashback of Steven telling both Cheryl and myself when she had took an interest in this place.

What is he doing back then? And how is he still alive? Was there not a body pulled out of this place? A million questions run around my mind and Foxy is still standing there hands now returned to his pockets grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

So yeah I'm going to be stealing a few lines from the 2010/2011 era, since I've re-watched them on daily motion. You've actually got whoever put those videos up to thank for my sudden reappearance, anyway hopefully have the next chapter updated in roughly a weeks time.. LG x